PROPOSAL FOR GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COURSES
Department ______CHEMISTRY____________________________________
__CHEM 190________
Date __November 11, 2011___________
___Forensic Chemistry_______________________ _____4________
Course No. Course Name Credits
Prerequisites____none__________________________________________________
GEP Goal Area(s):*
CORE GOAL AREAS
_____Goal 1: Communication
__x__ Goal 3: Natural Science
_____Goal 4: Mathematics/Logical Reasoning
_____Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral
Sciences
_____Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts
* Courses may be submitted for up to two Goal Areas.
Additional Requirement Categories:
_____Intensive:
_____ 1. Writing
_____ 2. Oral Communication
_____ 3. a. Mathematics/Statistics
_____ b. Critical Analysis
_____ Physical Development and Wellness
THEME GOAL AREAS
_____Goal 7: Human Diversity
_____Goal 8: Global Perspective
__x__Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility
_____Goal 10: People and the Environment
Provide information as specified in the previous directions.
Attach a General Education Program Approval Form .
Department Contact Person for this Proposal:
___Jeanne Franz__________________________ _____x5297_____
Name (please print) Phone
___jfranz@winona.edu__________ e-mail address
[Revised 9-6-11]

GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM APPROVAL FORM
Routing form for General Education Program Course approval. Course___CHEM 190__________
Department Approval
_________________________________
Department Chair
________________
Date
____________________________________________ e-mail address
Dean’s Recommendation
_____ Yes _____ No*
_________________________________
Dean of College
________________
Date
*If the dean does not approve the proposal, a written rationale shall be provided to the General Education Program Subcommittee.
GEPS Recommendation _____ Approved
_________________________________
General Education Program Director
_____ Disapproved
________________
Date
A2C2 Recommendation _____ Approved _____ Disapproved
_________________________________
Chair of A2C2
________________
Date
Faculty Senate Recommendation _____ Approved _____ Disapproved
_________________________________
President of Faculty Senate
________________
Date
Academic Vice President Recommendation _____ Approved
_________________________________
Academic Vice President
________________
Date
_____ Disapproved
Decision of President _____ Approved _____ Disapproved
_________________________________ ________________
Date President
Please forward to Registrar.
Registrar _________________
Date entered
Please notify department chair via e-mail that curricular change has been recorded.
[Revised 7-13-11]

Application for CHEMISTRY 190 Forensic Chemistry to satisfy Goal 9: Ethic and Civic Responsibility
Note: Course already approved to satisfy Goal 3 Natural Sciences
Course Outline: Forensic Chemistry CHEM 190
I. Introduction
A. Definition of forensic science
B. Careers in Forensic Science
C. Ethical collection of Evidence
D. Objective observation at crime scene – importance of avoiding pre-judgment
E. Recording, collecting and preserving evidence
F. Limits of uncertainty
II. Examination of Evidence
A. Glass and elementary chemistry
B. Atoms and molecules
C. Elements, compounds, and mixtures
D. States of matter
E. Physical properties of materials
F. Physical principles of motion, automobile accident reconstruction
G. Accurate recording of events, evidence, and materials
III. Trace Evidence
A.
Fingerprints: Reactions and equations, heats of reaction
B.
Nature of Light: reflection, refraction
C.
Fiber evidence
D.
Pollen evidence
IV. Forensic Geology and GIS
A.
Techniques in forensic geology and power for reconstructing events
B.
Objective pattern recognition in geographically separated crimes – the power of GIS
IV. Organic and inorganic analysis
A. Chromatography
B. Spectrometry
V. Poisons and drugs of abuse
A. Heavy metals
B. Acids and bases: barbituates, morphine, amphetamines
C.
Alcohol
D.
Toxicology LD
50 s
VI. DNA analysis
A. Characteristics
B. Fingerprinting
C. Collection and preservation
D. Evidentiary power
VII. Statistics in Forensic Science
A.
Objective classification of confidence and degree of uncertainty in data
B.
Objective pattern recognition
VIII. Synthesis – Analysis of Crimes of Controversial Resolution
A.
Objective examination of evidence from crime
B.
Determination of perpetrator of crime without pre-judgment
C.
Examination of reasons behind lack of resolution
D.
Impact on society for unresolved crime

Competencies
“Students will be able to…”
Learning Opportunity a) Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views.
When solving a crime it is extremely important to avoid pre-judgment yet a key component of crime solving is hypothesis building which inherently requires a judgment of some sort followed by logical exploration of the facts to determine whether that hypothesis is supported. This dichotomy involves inherent tension.
In this class students will often be required to” solve the case” with hypothesis building but at the same time will be required to examine their own ethical views and how that shaped their original hypotheses
Based on principle of ethical behavior by (forensic) scientists, “The interpretation of the data is done objectively. Prior expectations should not interfere with data analysis, and nonscientific factors such as politics or the expectations of the funding agency should not influence the analysis.”
Reference: Kovac, J. Scientific Ethics in Chemical
Education. J. Chem. Ed. 73(10) 1996.
b) Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues.
A final synthesis project will ask students to examine a criminal case of controversial resolution. Students will be asked to make a judgment about the actual perpetrator(s) of the crime and analyze the repercussions of the case not being fully resolved from a justice, civil liberties, and political perspective.
Assessment & Evaluation
Many of the cases will have a known “right” answer. In class discussions as well as written work, students will frequently be asked to give their original hypotheses, basis for them, and asked to identify them for signs of bias. When evidence of bias clouds their judgment and leads them to an incorrect determination, students will be asked to examine the ethics of such determination.
The synthesis project will include an in-class presentation as well as final paper comprising approximately 10% of the final course grade.
Projects will be evaluated on completeness of analysis including consequences to society of inadequate resolution of criminal activity. c) Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues.
Students will learn ethical treatment of evidence from lectures and readings. They will apply this knowledge in classroom activities designed to test students on prejudgment. An examination of the legal implications of pre-judgment will be made using historical cases.
Repercussions stemming from unethical treatment of evidence will be discussed. All lab activities will require students to handle all evidence ethically and legally.
In addition to the above core scientific ethic in a), other core ethical principles of (forensic) scientists include: 1)
Experimental and theoretical procedures are reported accurately so that the independent investigators can replicate the work if they so choose. 2) The data reported are complete and accurate and the limits of uncertainty are also noted. Scientists are not supposed to suppress data that do not agree with their expectations. And 3) Credit is given where credit is due.
Scientists are supposed to cite previous work where appropriate and to give credit to those who have aided the research. Conversely, it is assumed that all of the authors of a scientific paper have contributed to the research.
Reference: ibid
These ethical principles will be taught in activities such as class discussion of the “Case of the 99’11.42” parking lot.” And application of those principles in lab, thorough complete data collection in lab and statistical analysis of such data, and contributing equally to group lab reports and other major assignments.
Test questions will include questions about the consequences of unethical treatment of evidence. Classroom activity “worksheets” will be collected at the conclusion of “prejudgment” activities. Students’ recognition of their own inability to avoid pre-judgment as well as a recognition of the need to do better will be integral parts of the graded worksheets.
Inability to handle evidence correctly in lab will be detrimental to the students’ grade.
.Lab notebooks will be examined for accuracy in reporting of measurement uncertainty
(significant figures, etc.) and completeness.
Data collected that is appropriate for statistical analysis will be expected to be analyzed that way and correctly. Team contribution forms will be completed by each student and evaluated by the instructor.

d) Recognize the diversity of political motivations and interests of others. a) Identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Chemistry 190 Forensic Chemistry (Lecture and Lab)
Winona State University Spring 2012
4 credits
Instructor: Dr. Jeanne Franz Office: Pasteur 344 Phone: (457)-5297 email:jfranz@winona.edu
Lecture: M,W 12-12:50 PA 237 Lab: SLC 364 Monday and Wednesday 11-12:50 or 1-2:50
Office hours: M 3-4, T 11-2, W 3-4, Th 11-2, and F 8-10 or by appointment
* I can also be reached via email or voice mail if I am not in my office.
Required texts: Forensic Science by Andrew and Julie Jackson, 2004
Required materials: Carbon copy notebooks This is a laptop course, you will occasionally need to bring your laptops to lecture or lab.
Course Web Page : Can be accessed from D2L
Laptop Computer Policy: Laptop computers can be a very useful learning tool in the right circumstances. In other circumstances they can be a real source of annoyance. As a courtesy to your instructor and your classmates, only use your laptop computer for classroom related activities during class.
General Information: Chemistry 190 is intended to be an introduction to the Forensic Sciences with an emphasis on Chemistry. This course fulfills the natural science and ethical and civic responsibility requirement for General Education. It is intended both for Criminal Justice majors and anyone with an interest in Forensic Science. This course will give students an appreciation for the activities of a real forensic lab however students should not regard themselves as experts on any of the techniques learned in this course just from their exposure to the material in the course.
Grading:
Laboratory:
Exam1
Exam 2
Problem based activities
Final project/ presentation
30%
15%
15%
30%
10%
90% + 2% A Grades are
80% + 2% B Non-competitive
70% + 2% C And will be
60% + 2% D assigned as
< 60% F follows:
Timeliness Policy : All lab reports, assignments, etc. will be due on the specified date. Late assignments will have 5% of the value deducted per day late including weekends and holidays. Plan ahead!
Exams: There will be a mid-term and final exam in this course. Makeup exams will only be allowed with a valid written excuse. Examples of excused absences are illness documented by a physician or serious illness or death in the family. Concepts presented in lab, lecture, discussed in the assigned chapters, or resource information from the instructor or web will be the basis of exam material.
Laboratory safety: Approved safety goggles are required at all times in the laboratory. Students who wear contact lenses are strongly urged not to wear them during labs. Goggles will be available for purchase the first week of lab.
Laboratory Attendance: In order to receive credit for a given lab, you must be present for all portions of lab. In the event of an absence due to illness or family emergency, the instructor should be contacted as soon as possible and arrangements made to make up the missed lab.
Week
January 12,14
January 19,21
January 26, 28
February 2,4
February 9,11
February 16, 18
February 23, 25
Lab Schedule is subject to change
No lab
No lab, Martin Luther King day holiday Monday
The Case of the Broken Glass
Physics of Automobile crashes
Treadmark casts
No lab Assessment Day February 17
Fingerprint analysis

March 9,11
March 16, 18
March 23, 25
March 30, April 1
April 6, 8
April 13,15
April 20, 22
April 27, 29
Renters Beware: Blood, fingerprint, and metal analysis
Forensic Geology SEM Lab
Using GIS as a Forensic tool
Forensic Use of DNA
DNA Fingerprinting and Statistics
Filthy Lucre: Investigation of Currency Contamination
Drug Bust: The Identity Of Illicit Drugs In A Urine Sample
Lab cleanup and check out
Topics to be covered
I. Introduction
A. Definition of forensic science
B. Careers in Forensic Science
C. Ethical collection of Evidence
D. Objective observation at crime scene – importance of avoiding pre-judgment
E. Recording, collecting and preserving evidence
F. Limits of uncertainty
II. Examination of Evidence
A. Glass and elementary chemistry
B. Atoms and molecules
C. Elements, compounds, and mixtures
D. States of matter
E. Physical properties of materials
F. Physical principles of motion, automobile accident reconstruction
G. Accurate recording of events, evidence, and materials
III. Trace Evidence
E.
Fingerprints: Reactions and equations, heats of reaction
F.
Nature of Light: reflection, refraction
G.
Fiber evidence
H.
Pollen evidence
IV. Forensic Geology and GIS
C.
Techniques in forensic geology and power for reconstructing events
D.
Objective pattern recognition in geographically separated crimes – the power of GIS
IV. Organic and inorganic analysis
A. Chromatography
B. Spectrometry
V. Poisons and drugs of abuse
A. Heavy metals
B. Acids and bases: barbituates, morphine, amphetamines
E.
Alcohol
F.
Toxicology LD
50 s
VI. DNA analysis
A. Characteristics
B. Fingerprinting
C. Collection and preservation
D. Evidentiary power
VII. Statistics in Forensic Science
C.
Objective classification of confidence and degree of uncertainty in data
D.
Objective pattern recognition
VIII. Synthesis – Analysis of Crimes of Controversial Resolution
E.
Objective examination of evidence from crime
F.
Determination of perpetrator of crime without pre-judgment
G.
Examination of reasons behind lack of resolution
H.
Impact on society for unresolved crime

Completion of this course will include requirements and learning activities that promote your abilities to achieve the following outcomes: a. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories. b. Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory and simulation in at least two of the natural science disciplines. This experimental component will develop, in greater depth, your laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty. c. Communicate your experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing. d. Evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies. e. Examine, articulate, and apply your own ethical views. f. Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues. g. Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues.
Successful completion of laboratory, problem based activities, and final crime scene analysis and participation in lecture activities will promote your abilities to achieve Outcomes a to g.